If one follows the daily gospels throughout Advent, in one sense it takes the four gospels and extracts from them a chronological telling of the birth of the Messiah. This is especially true beginning on December 17th. That linear telling of the Nativity continues through the four different Masses of Christmas.
Continue readingI am sure many (if not all) are familiar with the Christmas carol that begins, “Here we come a-wassailing / among the leaves so green.” If not there is a video below to remind you – or introduce you to the song. But what is a “wassail” and how does one go about “wassailing”? Our friends at Merriam-Webster have the answer to those questions!
To wassail is to sing carols (popular songs or ballads of religious joy) from house to house at Christmas; the verb is usually used in the phrase “go wassailing.” As a noun, wassail can refer to (among other things) a hot drink that is made with wine, beer, or cider, as well as spices, sugar, and usually baked apples. Wassail is traditionally served in a large bowl especially at Christmastime.
Continue readingThe gospel reading for the Christmas Eve Vigil Mass is the genealogy of Jesus from the Gospel of Matthew. For a Mass that is typically preceded by or includes a children’s Christmas pageant, it is not exactly the reading one would naturally select. There is a part of us all that want to attend Christmas Mass and be reminded of angelic choruses, shepherds, and an infant in the manger. But the Nativity is more than a nice Christmas card scene. It is the arrival of Hope. Continue reading
Did you know that the Church has four different Christmas Masses, each with their own gospels? The four Masses are:
A lot of our life hoovers around the question, “What’s next?” It is that part of us that is ever looking ahead to try and pierce the veil that covers our future. Even as we peer into the future life inexorably moved ahead in its journey through time silently pleading that we are mindful of the time give us. And we were just given the Season of Advent. We were asked to prepare, to wait in expectation for Emmanuel, God-with-us, the promised from of old, the King of Kings…and now it is Christmas. And our Savior is born to us! Continue reading
Christmas is one of those events that has a lot of anticipation associated with it. Certainly, well before Thanksgiving the retail stores began to decorate for Christmas, everywhere we go there is Christmas music playing in the background, and our mailboxes – of all types – began to fill with promotions for Christmas shopping. But that’s OK. There are lots of events in our life that have that same pattern of anticipation, heightened activity, and finally the day comes.
Here is a short list of such events of our lives
The same in our faith tradition: we have Advent leading up to Christmas. And here we are at Christmas.
It is not just this year, but every year. And it has been this way since before the time of Jesus. The Prophet Isaiah, more than 2,500 year ago, looked forward to this day of “abundant joy and great rejoicing” when he prophesied: “For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.” And the people of God waited and anticipated – through the days and nights, joys and sorrows, and all that makes up the cauldron of this life. They had faith that the day would come.
And then, out of the dark night sky, there shown above shepherds in the fields, the glory of the Lord and angels who proclaimed good news of great joy: “For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.” And then the heaven exploded in an angelic chorus.
Think of the anticipation those shepherds felt as they hurried into Bethlehem to witness what the angels proclaimed. You know, even the Gospel readings for Christmas Eve and Day have this pattern of anticipation culminating in the one moment. The Vigil Mass recounts the genealogy of Jesus – all the generations leading to this day. The Mass during the Night (aka “Midnight Mass”) tells us of the shepherds in the field, but there is no trek into Bethlehem. That gospel is read at the Christmas Day mass in the morning.
Be it on the grand scale of the history of Redemption, the celebration of one year’s Christmas, or so many events of our life – there is the pattern of anticipation all pointing towards “the day”- be it Christmas, the first day of college, your wedding day, and so much more. And comes the day after Christmas, the second day of college, the end of the honeymoon and the start of building a life together.
Here at Christmas we are again asked to recall the words of St. Paul to Titus: “The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age.” And to carry those words and these memories into the cauldron of life, to face the next day. Likewise, to recall:
And Christmas – to remember the warm glow, the close comfort of friends and family, the good cheer, and to recall a Savior has been born to us, saving all, and asking us to be Christ for others. To renew our covenant with God in this Eucharist with our “Amen”, and then to go into world to strive to make the promises of Christ come true for yourself, your loved ones, for friends, and for those you will meet in the days and year to come.
With all the anticipation comes the day, and with the day, comes the day after. We are people of the day after but recall this day in memory and rejoicing, for to us a Savior has been born!
Merry Christmas.
I wasn’t too sure what to expect for my first Advent/Christmas in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. Certainly, the slum in which I lived was devoid of any of the commercial excess. There were no malls, no black Friday, none of the things mark the run-up to Christmas. Occasionally, you could hear Christmas carols, traditional and tribal, float out of one of the wood sheds/tin roofed stores. But most of the familiar western signs and markers that Christmas was coming were missing. Continue reading
If one follows the daily gospels throughout Advent, in one sense it takes the four gospels and extracts from them a chronological telling of the birth of the Messiah. This is especially true beginning on December 17th. That linear telling of the Nativity continues through the four different Masses of Christmas. Continue reading
The days of Christmas are quickly approaching, your shopping isn’t finished (…. maybe not started!), the end-of-year activities at work are reaching deadlines, the tree is not up, the kids have a school Christmas play tomorrow night (… “Mom, is my costume ready?”…what costume?), the toy drive at the church is ready to wrap and deliver packages (I think we signed up to help as a family? …. maybe?), and…and… oh my gosh, the in-laws are coming to stay with us this Christmas. Even amidst the momentary panic of “how will all this get done,” there is an ever-present awareness that we want to be hospitable, warm, and welcoming – not only to the in-laws but to all who come to our door during the holidays. Continue reading
If your parish is like mine, Christmas Mass can be a bit crowded with most of the Masses standing-room-only and the parking situation about the same. So this Christmas, if you’re frustrated by crowded Masses, or packed parking lots, take a moment and pray for Catholics who long for the Eucharist. Our brothers and sisters for whom public celebration of our Holy Day makes them targets of additional persecution. May our Christmas prayers and wishes be with them.
friarmusings 